(Left to right) Mark Kirkbride (Eco-congregation), Kenny Meason (Session Clerk Shapinsay), Revd. Julia Meason (Minister), Caroline Bird (Church Secretary)

On Sunday 24^th July members of Shapinsay Church were awarded their first Eco award by Orkney resident Mark Kirkbride, a trustee of Eco-congregation Scotland. Mark commented:

“This award is in recognition of the significant steps that members of Shapinsay church have taken to reduce their carbon footprint and working with the Shapinsay school on environmental activity. It is very well deserved. I am most impressed by the commitment of all the congregation to Eco activities and including installation of air source heating and taking a significant part in Shapinsay’s ‘Bag the Bruck’ in collaboration with local people. The minister even drives an electric car!”

Receiving the award during a joint Sunday morning service with members from the Peedie Kirk, minister Revd Julia Meason said “I was delighted to receive the first eco-congregation award today on behalf of the Shapinsay Church of Scotland. Over the last year we’ve worked on a number of areas of our congregational life and witness and are very pleased with our achievement. We’re a small congregation but we do want to do our bit for God’s creation. It is an important part of who we are as Christians.”

Picture shows (Left to right) Mark Kirkbride (Eco-congregation), Kenny Meason (Session Clerk Shapinsay), Revd. Julia Meason (Minister), Caroline Bird (Church Secretary)